The Second Chance

Axel stared into the darkness of the park. There was no one to be seen. Things were getting bored today. By this time, yesterday, he had beaten up the guy who was wearing large spectacles and a white shirt. He hated white but the guy wouldn't take his shirt off when he asked him to. Axel had to tear it away with the knife while he was still wearing it. The shirt was completely red soaked in blood at the end. Billy got benefited 50 bucks from his wallet. But they left the watch as it was broken by the baseball bat that hit his wrist. Axel never did it for money. It was only Billy who is interested in money. And Cujo stood and barked most of the time. It occasionally gets the chance to bite when some one tries to run. But today things looked so different. Billy was getting tired playing fetch with Cujo. Even Cujo was tired fetching the stick. He stopping giving the stick back to Billy and instead lied down next to Axel who leaned over the tree waiting for someone that he would hate. It was always easy to find someone he would hate. He hated everyone. Billy sat next to him and started playing with his knife. The night was getting cold and they were getting restless. Axel looked far and saw the light from the Church clock. It struck once. It is one hour past midnight. And then, Cujo stood up and barked.
He sounded furious which meant only one thing. Axel is going to hate the one who ever it is coming on the way. They stood and walked towards the stranger. He appeared young and was coming straight towards them obviously not expecting their company. Watching them approach, he stopped his walk and looked at them. To Axel, everyone did the same thinking whether to run or not. And many make the wrong decision of running back. But today, the guy started to walk again, towards them. "This guy has some guts" said Billy laughing and walked fast eager to have fun. They reached close while he seemed not to notice them blocking the way. Billy pulled his collars back as he tried to get past their shoulders and pushed him to the ground. "What is a prick like you doing out here, huh?" Billy shouted while raising the baseball bat from his back. The stranger just stood up silently. He glanced towards Cujo who was barking and then to Billy and then looked towards Axel and spoke. "If you were given a second chance, what would you do?" Axel could see only his blue eyes in the dark. They stood distinct from the darkness and appeared staring straight into him. Billy raised the bat and yelled "You think you are a smart....", and hit the bat over his stomach making him fall down again in an instant. Axel took the metal rod from his jacket ready to have a nice time. The stranger raised slowly from the ground and stared back again at Axel. Then he took a step back slowly. Even though it was dark, Axel could see that the guy was not frightened. His blue eyes were blank and silent. As much as Axel moved towards him, he would move a step backward, but slowly increasing his pace and at one moment, he started to run. Axel unleashed Cujo from his grip and Cujo was glad to get some fun at last. It started to chase while Axel and Billy followed running behind. They ran long until they reached the gate at the north end of the park. The guy opened the gate and ran outside followed by Cujo leaving Billy and Axel far behind. Before they could reach the gate, they heard a whimpering sound of Cujo in pain. Feeling alarmed, Billy and Axel ran fast to the gate and found it to be locked. They could see Cujo sitting not far from the gate while he stood there just about 5 feet away. Cujo was looking up at him. "Cujo, get him boy!!!" shouted Billy. Cujo looked towards Billy and turned back again as he advanced. "Get him Cujo! Take the flesh out of him" Billy continued to shout. Cujo slowly tried to get up and limped back. His left hind legs moved as if it is not attached to the body. Axel saw blood on the ground next to Cujo. Then suddenly, there was a blow from the guy who was holding a wooden plank. Cujo wailed for a second twitching his legs back and forth before becoming still. Billy was furious seeing the sight and ran towards the other exit on the left.
Axel stood shocked on what just happened. He clutched the gate trying to open it. The stranger walked slowly towards the gate. The street lights were far and shadowed his face. He moved closer to Axel who stood on the other side of the gate. Axel could see that he was no more than 20 years old. But there was no innocent look on his face either. His face beamed bright now without any expression of anger or sorrow. Billy found the exit and holding his bat, he sneaked slowly behind him. Axel could see that Billy was no more than 10 feet from them. Then the stranger smiled. In a fraction of a second before Axel or Billy could realize, he threw the wood straight to Billy's knees. Billy caught unaware stumbled down to the ground. The boy turned back to Axel and smiled again who screamed in anger. Billy was slowly trying to get up and he raised himself to his hurt knees. The knees were sure broken as he cried in pain. The boy turned and faced Billy again who looked at him with fear. He walked towards Billy and took the baseball bat lying next to him. He positioned himself to his left and raised the bat as if ready for the swing in the game. Axel screamed rocking the gate trying to open it but of no use. The stranger looked back towards Axel and asked again. "If you were given a second chance, what would you do?" Then he swung the bat hard hitting straight over Billy's neck. The sound of a broken bone came out and Billy fell without any movement. Everything froze for a second for Axel.
The town clock struck once. It is one hour past midnight and Cujo started to bark making Axel come out of the slumber. There was someone coming towards them. Billy stood up while Axel started thinking of what would happen next. Cujo was barking louder. Billy looked at Axel in confusion. "Come on! Its our day". Then he saw the stranger and he could see the blue eyes staring into him. "Wait!" Axel said, "It is not our guy". Billy shook his head in disappointment and threw the stick for Cujo to fetch. The stranger turned towards Axel while he crossed their path and left silently.
"If you were given a second chance, what would you do?" Axel thought.
"I would take the pass"